OK, so you've got an idea about writing a fiction story. No details yet, but you know the central theme or subject of the intended story. So, what do you do to get started writing the story? What is your basic first step?
I start with character. That's what I always do. Create a characters and they will tell me what will happen in their lives.
First I think out the first part of the storyline, which tells me what kind of characters I need. From that I decide which POV I'm gonna use.
Sometimes I start to plan the plot... Sometimes I start to create a character... Sometimes I just start writing!
I just start writing and see where it takes me. I basically keep writing until I find I have written something satisfactory or something I can work with.
Which came first, the story or the characters, the chicken or the egg? What better way to start the day than with a chicken omelet?
lol Cogito! XD I just start with the characters and let them tell the story for me. Many times I've had experiences where I had an idea and one of my characters said, "Um, no. You must be joking, John. Do xyz instead."
If something is just an idea without characters or setting, I generally let it sit longer since an idea alone doesn't make a story. If I have to get it written soon and can't let it percolate on its own, then I sit down and brainstorm with notes until I have characters and setting. Then I start writing.
It usually all just comes to me in no particular order. Don't over think it. That's all I know to say. See where it goes.
I heard a writer that was telling to another young writer "You should first write whatever you got in your mind then you should think about what you have done." Now, I want to write my first book that will be based on a true story. Is there any advice for this kind of story that you may give me before I start engraving papers? The genre of the book would be romance. Thanks
Usually I have a general idea of the character and the general theme/subject and a general idea of where I want the story to go. After that I start writing. Sometimes this leads me to new discoveries and things I would never have considered otherwise. I also find it amazing how often I will have mentioned a small detail, such as a locked room, and then later I manage to connect alot back to that locked door. Does this lead to alot of open plot lines and holes? Yeah but thats what editing is for.
I think for many romance writers they start with an interesting hero and heroine, and then come up with a) how the two meet and are attracted b) what obstacles there are to them just getting married and settling down immediately to living happily ever after c) find a sensible reason for them to be constantly thrown into each other's company d) have them come together e) rip them apart again one or two times f) finally have them become victorious over the last obstacle for their being together then start writing and allow further details to evolve...
@madhoca First of all I appreciate for your advice. a) This one seems to be easy to express. b) There are a lot of obstacles as I saw before. c) Could you explain it more clearly please? I just could not get the point. d) I am going to do it frequently. e) Two halves of an apple f) What if there is not a happy ending at the end of the story? -- There are few more questions; How the writers hide themselves in the story? Is there any special technique? I am going to buy a small notebook (agenda) that would be handy because I want to start it when I am in the army to serve after a month. I also know it would be difficult for me since my native language is not English, but I really want to write this story in English. The last question that I am curious is "Do the most writers erase the words / sentences that they do not like, or just cross out? Thanks again
I usually have some image or situation that haunts me for a long while before I get to writing it, and I have been known to change the main characters to fit around the idea... after sixty thousand words... and back again. But basically it's whatever works first. If you feel more inspired to write about a theme or issue, plan your characters around these, but use characters who are going to cause the most tension amidst the themes you use.
At least I follow one of the advice Remarkably often a story grows out of a title that pops up in my head.
